The Fremantle Dockers have announced midfielder Josh Simpson will take an unspecified leave of absence from the club effective immediately.

Simpson will undertake a personal development program structured to address personal and professional issues outside football.

The program includes strict guidelines to which the 20-year-old must adhere and will be overseen by the Dockers and the AFL Players' Association, Simpson's management and external counsellors and experts.

"Although Josh has been endeavouring to deal with some personal and professional matters, he has not been able to consistently demonstrate the behaviour required of a player at this club," general manager of football operations Chris Bond said.

"We believe that it is in Josh's best interests - both personal and professional - that his strong focus be on undertaking and successfully completing the program rather than meeting playing or training commitments during this time.

"Consequently, Josh will not train or play with the club during his leave of absence but instead focus on his personal development program and benefit from the structure, supervision and support it is designed to provide."

Simpson has twice been fined an undisclosed amount this season for failing to meet club requirements.

Simpson will not train with Fremantle or WAFL affiliate club Peel during the leave of absence.